A new silver-based precursor as ink for soft printing techniques

摘要

A new, easily obtainable silver-pyrrolidone complex that is suitable for printing applications was synthesized by the reaction of silver nitrate and 2-pyrrolidone (Pyl) at room temperature. According to single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies, the product [Ag(Pyl) _2]NO _3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (no. 15) [a = 5.358(1) ?, b = 15.217(3) ?, c = 14.986(3) ?, β = 99.296(6)°]. Highly concentrated solutions of the complex can be obtained in an ethanol/water mixture, thereby allowing for the manufacture of thin films by means of dip coating. Subsequent UV irradiation and moderate-temperature treatment yielded compact films of elemental silver with thicknesses of about 100 nm and sheet resistances down to 6.5. Furthermore, microcontact printing (μcp) and embossing of [Ag(Pyl) _2]NO _3 were performed, also followed by UV treatment. By means of the photoreduction of the complex and subsequent moderate-thermal treatment, defined structures of elemental silver lines were obtained. We present an easily obtainable silver-based precursor suitable for printing applications. The simple reaction of silver nitrate and 2-pyrrolidone (Pyl) yields a stable [Ag(Pyl) _2]NO _3 complex, the crystal structure of which was solved. Highly concentrated solutions can be obtained in ethanol/water, thereby allowing for manufacture of thin films through coating or printing techniques.